The unit, christened ‘Helen', which is provided by the cancer care charity Hope for Tomorrow in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has played a crucial role in supporting NHS oncology services in Gloucestershire for over 17 years.

Professor Mark Pietroni, medical director at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Mobile cancer care units like Helen are a fantastic resource for our patients and the NHS. By providing treatment in a calm and comfortable environment outside of the hospital, we can reduce travel times, ease the burden on our wards and make care more accessible for people across the county.

‘We are delighted to continue working with Hope for Tomorrow to ensure patients in Gloucestershire have the best possible experience of care.'

Based at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Helen also visits Cinderford, Stroud and Cirencester, providing cancer services to up to four patients at a time and supporting an average of 20 patients per day.

Over the past year, over 1,820 patient visits have taken place on board, reducing pressure on hospital oncology departments and helping patients avoid unnecessary trave and the associated time and costs at this time.